OUR AUTHORS

  • At The Dreamwork Collective we're dedicated to producing high-quality and high-impact books that are captivating and life-changing for readers around the world. We work with authors whose books align with this mission and who are ready to bring their dream to life. WANT TO GET PUBLISHED BY THE DREAMWORK COLLECTIVE? APPLY HERE.

  • Belonging to a small town in Pakistan, Sammar Shabir always had high aspirations. She has been a small-scale writer for some time, selling short stories online and converting transcripts into anecdotes, for a small non-profit organization, Women of Pakistan. However, a bout of illness during the Covid-19 induced pandemic slowed her down enough to write her first novel, The Fury of Angels. In her free time, she enjoys dance, furniture restoration, adventure sports and travelling.

  • Born and raised in France, Christa started her career working for a decade for top beauty and fragrance brands in Paris, London, Berlin and Singapore before moving to Dubai, where she is currently based.
    Over the years of extensive travels, Christa always enjoyed searching the globe for the finest fragrant raw materials while being inspired by the local populations, and felt their story should be available for the world to see.
    She contributed with indie magazines as both a freelance writer and photographer to share with readers around the world, how scents can be a way to discover a new country and experience foreign cultures.
    As a mother of two young children, Christa’s experiences have inspired her to create a series of books that introduce children to the world of perfume, to encourage olfactory exploration but also emphasize the importance of cultural diversity and environmental consciousness.

  • At The Dreamwork Collective we're dedicated to producing high-quality and high-impact books that are captivating and life-changing for readers around the world. We work with authors whose books align with this mission and who are ready to bring their dream to life. WANT TO GET PUBLISHED BY THE DREAMWORK COLLECTIVE? APPLY HERE

  • Asmaa S. Alkuwari is a Qatari award-winning coach, thought leader, and advocate for women’s empowerment. With over 12 years of corporate experience and over 5 years in coaching and training, she blends her expertise in User Experience (UX) and leadership coaching to create transformative approaches for women leaders in the MENA region.

    Asmaa is the founder of You’re Not Alone, a community established in 2019 to support and connect women navigating life’s challenges. Her work has earned her the ‘Women Changing the World MENA’ Award for Community Impact and the ‘Change Catalyst’ Award from PLAYBOOK. As a motivational speaker, she inspires audiences locally and internationally with her message of empowerment and leadership in creating Impact .

  • Nadina, a Bosnian-born author, fled her homeland as a child during the war, finding refuge in the UK. Her diverse career spans journalism and foreign policy analysis, with a particular focus on Russian geopolitics. Her expertise has been recognised with a grant from the US Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute. Nadina's journalistic background includes work for CNBC and Fox Business, as well as contributions to Al Jazeera English, Middle East Eye and the Journal of Peace and War Studies. From an early age, Nadina demonstrated a knack for commentary, appearing on Channel 4 News at 15 to discuss the end of the Bosnian War. At 17, she interviewed Guns n Roses’ Slash. Beyond her professional pursuits, she harbours a deep passion for music, cinema, travel and photography.

  • Abby Lyons is the author of the children’s book What Is Diabetes, Anyway? and co-founder of House of Comms, an international marketing agency based in Dubai, UAE.

    Born in South Africa and raised in Manchester, UK, Abby is mum to three boys—Marley, Maddox, and Rocco.

    Abby’s journey as a passionate advocate for diabetes awareness began when Rocco was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Determined to help others recognise the early signs of the condition, and support newly diagnosed families, she penned her first book, aimed at educating about the importance of early diagnosis.

    Abby hopes that through her and Rocco’s story, more families will become familiar with the tell-tale symptoms of diabetes and get the timely support they need. As well as make sure they know, they are no alone in dealing with this chronic illness, which can at times feel completely hopeless.

    When she’s not writing or working, or being a pancreas, Abby enjoys lapping up the Dubai sunshine with friends and family, or cooking up a storm with her boys in the kitchen.

  • Musata Matei is a seasoned professional with experience in Banking and Fintech in the UK and the UAE. Following her studies at UCL and the University of Oxford, Musata began her career at Goldman Sachs in London, later joining the Fintech industry in Dubai's DIFC. Fluent in five languages and a published poet, she is passionate about helping women-led startups and empowering working mothers. Her upcoming book about Working Mums explores the challenges and stereotypes faced by working mothers in the workplace and offers strategies for overcoming them, highlighting a much-needed change in how motherhood is perceived everywhere.

    Follow her on Instagram at: @mushata.matei

  • Sudanese born, California bred, Leena is a free-spirited soul fascinated by the smaller details in life. Coming from a culturally mixed background, and living in so many different places, has opened Leena up to how much of our human experience is similar; the desire to be seen, to be free in our authenticity, and to continue to thrive. Using her MAPP degree from UPENN she now works with high school students supporting them in realizing their intrinsic strengths and the path that most aligns with their most authentic self.

    Leena currently resides in Cairo with her wonderful sons, nephews, and family. She loves writing, Pilates, and actually laughing out loud.

  • Nikki Heyder is a holistic psychotherapist, therapeutic yoga teacher, coach, and mentor of over a decade, helping women overcome their feelings of unworthiness and low self-image as well as training fellow practitioners in Compassion Focused Coaching. Specializing within the areas of disordered eating, eating disorders, addictive tendencies, trauma, and anxiety management, Nikki believes that a holistic, compassionate approach that encompasses the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual parts of oneself is the path to healing, growth, and ultimately remembering our authentic nature.

  • Surya Ramkumar is a writer based in Dubai, the UAE. Born in Kerala, a beautiful state in the south of India, Surya has lived in nine countries and traveled to many more. Through writing, Surya brings together various strands of her life–that of a mother, wife, and daughter and that of a technologist, business leader, and sustainability advocate. She is passionate about the power of words to bring about meaningful social change. Her personal mission as a writer is to bring clarity and understanding of a complex world in a way that makes it accessible to more people through clear thinking and engaging storytelling. The Sky Has Moved Away is her first book-length work of fiction. Her short stories have been included in anthologies (Silverfish New Writing 7). Her previous book, Silent Eloquence (Spotted Okapi Press, 2020), is a collection of essays chronicling her experiences as she traveled across multiple countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

  • Helen Farmer is BBC-trained broadcast journalist, juggling a career in broadcasting and writing with her main role as mum to her two daughters. She has worked in publishing and radio in Dubai for 17 years, known for her honest take on living, working and parenting, through her social media platform @_helenfarmer_, and on her show on Dubai Eye 10308, Afternoons with Helen Farmer.

  • Hanae is a serial entrepreneur with a deep understanding of how different sectors (governments and international development institutions, civil society, business, and finance) impact systems-change, both locally and globally. Her areas of expertise are at the intersection of technology, sustainability, inclusion, entrepreneurship and international development. Building on decades of experience in Europe, Africa and America, in her debut book Hanae introduces readers to BIWOC’s burgeoning leadership movement, rising entrepreneurs and philanthropists, and new cultural innovators making an impact in various industries.

  • Born in the UK to English and Lebanese-Armenian parents, and raised in Dubai, Giselle is what they call an ‘expat brat’. She has been lucky, since the age of five, to be raised in a place that is a true melting pot of people and cultures; where you can experience both the usual and the unusual and, where friends become family.

    Giselle is now fortunate to be giving the same upbringing to her two children and has taken inspiration from life as a ‘third culture kid’ to write children’s stories for the little ones who make their home away from ‘home’.

    By day, Giselle is a creative producer and copywriter, having worked with some of the world’s leading retail and hospitality brands. By night, she is ‘Mum’ or more importantly, to Frankie and Isobel, ‘story reader’, with a passion for travel, family and Netflix documentaries.

    @giselle_o_a

  • Samantha has worked in media and communications for more than 15 years. A former television producer, Samantha spent eight years working at Sky News in London. Here, she interviewed a number of political figures and commentators on the day's top news stories - from the war in Syria to the U.S elections for the channel's World News programme. Samantha moved to the Middle East in 2015 where she transitioned into strategic communications. It was whilst living in Doha that she adopted a little rescue dog, Buddy - who became the inspiration for her first novel. They currently reside in Dubai.

    When she is not writing, Samantha is an avid Liverpool FC fan and enjoys reading and running. Samantha has a bachelor's degree in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge and is from Lancashire, UK.

  • She is one of the Middle East’s most recognised business reporters, with over 15 years of experience to date.

    Known for her scoops and exclusive interviews, Ms Daoui is based in the UAE and travels wherever the story takes her, from Saudi Arabia where she specialises in covering business stories, to the far reaches of the globe to moderate influential panels on global economic issues.

    Ms Daoui launched her career as an analyst at investment firm Capital Trust, where she gained insights into the world of investing. In 2005, Ms Daoui practiced as a Family Office consultant until 2008, when she joined Al Arabiya News Channel in Dubai a business anchor for the channel’s daily financial news program, Aswaq Al Arabiya. Today she continues to thrive in her prominent presence as a senior business and financial news anchor.

  • Syla has been passionate about the arts and literature from her earliest encounters with books. She knew she was destined to write from the precocious age of seven, when she first noticed her favourite books didn’t include characters like her.

    With a background in Art History and Education, Syla believes in the power of story-telling in order for humans to acquire knowledge and locate their place in the world. Syla was born in Bolton, UK and now lives in Abu Dhabi, UAE. When she’s not reading or writing, Syla spends her time as an aspiring film maker, chef, yoga enthusiast and traveller.

  • An exhibited Saudi artist, designer and illustrator with a culturally diverse background that enriched her perspective on the world, Maha was compelled to express her voice through visual and written forms of storytelling.

    During her ten years of experience in the creative industries, Maha designed brand identities, launched an Arabic greeting card company and later entered the corporate world as an innovation designer. 

    In her field, she is known as "someone with a gift for taking complex topics and breaking them down into simple ideas”. This reputation encouraged her to bring together her art, storytelling and some life-enriching tools she picked up over the years to create a series of Arabic children’s stories that not only capture the imagination, but also create a common language for children to better understand and express themselves.

    @creative_curious

  • Author of Just Jessica children's book seies

    Jessica is a former Australian paralympic swimmer, speaker, entrepreneur, and children’s book author. Born missing her left arm, then suffering a horrific accident when she was a toddler where she sustained burns to 15% of her body, she defied odds and went on to represent her country in the sport of swimming for seven years, culminating in her selection onto the Australian Paralympic team in 2004. Since retiring from her international swimming career Jessica has gone on to become an internationally recognised advocate for positive body image, diversity and inclusion, and disability awareness being awarded one of Australia’s highest honours, the Medal of the Order of Australia. Jessica is also the mother of three young children. Her journey into motherhood inspired her to write a series of children’s books about disability and acceptance. After growing up with limited resources on these topics, Jessica wanted to create characters that represent what kids see in everyday life. Her book series Just Jessica is about a young girl with one hand who learns that being different is okay.

    @jessicasmith27

  • Author of Girls Do Good and Tackled!

    Jos is an author, award-winning media and communications advisor, international public speaker, creative strategist and world-traveller, having visited near 100 countries. Jos is passionate about telling stories that change the world: whether through the arts, by creating content that challenges the status quo, through her global speaking engagements and work with clients on creative communications, or through the award-winning not-for-profit organisation Girls & Football SA she founded in South Africa. Her background in theatre and the arts, combined with economics and technology, fuels her passion to merge education, creativity and EdTech. Having spent her early childhood across Bangladesh, Senegal and Brazil, Jos has launched various organisations, initiatives and movements to challenge inequality, to increase global access to accurate education and to drive diversity and inclusion. She strongly believes everyone deserves access to accurate education and she strives to make this happen by integrating socially conscious content with the world’s most advanced tech platforms, and through workshops, trainings and educational content.

    Instagram: @josdirkx @girlsdogood

  • Amandeep was born in London, United Kingdom and emigrated to Dubai with her family at the age of 6. She is a Political Economist by education, fitness professional by qualification and writer by passion. She has an opinion about most things ranging from political debate across the world to Bollywood songs from the nineties and noughties that need to make a comeback. She describes her book as an account of the confused state of mind of her and her generation. She currently lives in Dubai with her parents and baby (her White German Shepherd).

    Instagram: @ahujaamandeep

  • She is an experienced marketer and communications specialist, and a well-known empathetic leader. For over thirteen years she has been working across the globe with her clients to drive stand out creative interventions that lead to business and culture change. Driven by the pursuit of bringing conscientiousness to the role and impact of leadership, with a desire to make the world of work a more empathetic, valuable and sustainable place to be, Softening The Edge is Mimi’s first book. She is also a keynote speaker and columnist.

    Having lived and worked in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Dubai, Mimi’s approach changes organisations from the inside out, focusing on cultural, behavioural and mindset change. Based in Dubai, she is a natural coach, writer and creative mind, and has held roles as diverse as Strategic Director, Vice President and Creative Officer in some of the world’s leading advertising agencies. Her passion for balancinghumanism with capitalism, drives her commitment to leading the practice of conscientious and empathetic leadership, and her ‘principles of people’, into organisations worldwide.

    Instagram: @miminicklin

  • Ruzina is a British Bangladeshi writer, born and raised in London and is currently residing in Abu Dhabi with her husband and two kids. She has a Masters in Leadership and Management in Education and has been working as an instructor/teacher trainer for over twelve years. Ruzina has a vivacious approach to life and truly believes that real victory comes to those who dare to Dream, rely on the power of Dua and then go out to Do whatever it is they need to do in order to achieve their goals.

    Instagram: @ruzinaahad

  • Netherlands-based Tilda Timmers is a therapist specialising in postpartum depression. She works with parents who are not on cloud nine after giving birth, who might be feeling overwhelmed, ashamed, depressed, and anything in between. She gives them their life back, introducing them to tools they need to feel more confident, happier and above all: balanced in their new role as a parent.

    Tilda writes from the heart having suffered from postpartum depression with her first child. Her dream is to help as many mothers as she can to get through what might be their biggest challenge to date.

    Instagram: @geenrozewolk

  • Born in London to Omani Zanzibari parents, Salha has been daydreaming, performing, and creating songs, plays and stories since she was a child. As an adult, armed with a seemingly redundant degree in languages, she founded the successful corporate Million Dollar Band, with whom she travelled the world playing music. Family girl, proud Muslim, crazy cat lady, doting wife, shoe enthusiast, yoga teacher and professional rock star, she has now added ‘author’ with her first novel, The End of Summer. Having lived in Bahrain, London, Germany, L.A., Muscat, Beirut, Dubai, she has finally settled (for now) with her amazing husband and 2 rescue cats in Zanzibar.

    Instagram: @simplysalha and @kasazanzibar

  • She is an Emirati woman born and raised in Dubai. She has a degree in English Language & Literature and has worked as a freelance copywriter, proofreader and editor.

    Bashayer has been an avid reader since the age of six. She believes in the profound power of storytelling and credits her passion for books for shaping who she is today. Her other interests include anthropology, true crime, fitness, and psychology.

  • Mysticism and parenting; business leadership and wisdom; technology and love. Alex stumbles around the world, fascinated by love, relationships and wisdom. He writes from the perspective of a father, husband, technology innovator and entrepreneur. In his business life, Alex founded a global aviation technology company that has taken him around the globe. These travels have allowed him to explore cultures, religions, spiritual practices and temples with a sense of wonder, appreciation and a sense of fraternity; a deep love of humanity and cosmic artistry.

    Alex grew up in Canada and the UK. He lives in Dubai. His debut memoir Man in Motion, chronicles his journey from divorce and the interrupted life towards love and wisdom.

  • Waleed was born and raised in the UAE. He is a Chemical Engineer by education and started his career working in th e oil industry before discovering a love of photography. He has had the opportunity to work with some of the finest establishments in the industry, talented local artists, international legends passing through the UAE as well as some of the coolest brands out there. Waleed is an official Fuji-X-Photographer.

    His series titled, Rock Your Ugly, which explores the intersection between physical and mental health through a series of portraits will be published by the Dreamwork Collective in 2021.

    Instagram: @waleedshah

  • Author of Becoming a Legend

    Houriya is an Emirati sportsperson, speaker and author who has dedicated her life to breaking barriers and promoting women’s football in the Middle East. She is Head Coach of the United Arab Emirates’ women’s national football team and board member and technical director of the Women’s Football Association. Houriya’s memoir, BECOMING A LEGEND, tells of the hurdles she overcome to play a sport in a cultural environment that challenged it, and how she found her feet as a revolutionary voice for women in the Middle East.

    Instagram: @hrtahri

  • Author of Wake Up! Stop Snoozing on Your Health

    Nigora's passion lies in empowering women and men to take charge of their health as well as becoming a UNIT with their body, mind and soul. She loves to work with digestive health, skin health, energy enhancement, deep sleep, various chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, gout, hormonal imbalances and strongly believes that the root cause of it all lies in lifestyle as well as in emotional health. Nigora is a Health Coach, international author, Kundalini Yoga teacher, Face Fitness trainer as well as a Face Lift therapist. She advocates a no-make up life and a lifestyle that uses food as medicine and Kundalini Yoga as fuel.

    Instagram: @nigora_coaching

  • Author of Big Little Steps

    Mathilde has worked in PR for 12 years and grew up in the Sultanate of Oman, a long way from home - the south of France. Since embracing Islam in 2002, her dream was to highlight the beauty of Islam to the world and break pre-conceived notions of Muslim women in a positive and constructive manner. She enjoys water sports, loves drinking tea and visiting mosques around the world.

    Instagram: @ourbiglittlesteps

  • Author of At Home Anywhere

    Rachael Lynn is an American-born author and community organizer who writes on personal experience in relationship with self, family, and in love. She believes that sharing your truth is the quickest way to freedom and works to facilitate that in herself and any others who are ready. She is currently based in Dubai with her husband and their dog, Kyna. Rachael's debut book is launching in the last quarter of 2019.

    Instagram: @iam_rachaellynn

  • Author of Whip It!

    Delna is certain she may have been a gypsy in her past life because she loves global cultures and word crafting the experiences that have made her world come alive. Of Indian origin and Dubai-born, this curly haired girl cracks up at her jokes, loves late night baking sprees and delights in sparking conversations with strangers.

    Anything can get Delna excited and she would trade in her corporate job in communications so as to her own homestay in the Himalayas. Her mantra: My life’s isn’t perfect - but, I’m grateful!

    Instagram: @themunchingtraveler

  • Author of Ḥumr An-Naʿam, Treasure of the Desert

    Aditi Belame Kumar is a writer and arts administrator who has spent most of her life outside India. After enjoying a successful career in health care, Aditi transitioned to the arts sector in 2019. Her areas of interest include migration, identity, and gender politics within the artistic discourse, and the points of intersection between contemporary and traditional South Asian art. She is currently living in Bangalore. 

    Instagram: @aditibela.me @humr_an_naam

  • In the world of design, Nisrine has carved a niche for herself, crafting unique spaces tailor-made for a long list of discerning clients. With an impeccable eye for detail, she’s most admired for skillfully blending the classic and the contemporary, in her own refreshing aesthetic style.

    She creates interiors that uniquely reflects the client’s own personality and desires in each of her designs. She is also adept in finding creative ways to help budget-conscious clients design their dream spaces. And it is this priceless quality that lets her shape gleeful smiles, and transform houses into homes, for several residential and commercial projects across the UAE and Lebanon. Her love for everything that is designed, work, inspirations and tips can all be found on her blog harfnoondesignstudio.com

    Instagram: @harfnoondesignstudio

  • Author of Press Play and Press Play Journal

    Linda spends her time working with amazing people and thinking of ways to bring a little more sparkle to the world. She used to a high school history teacher and now, thousands of hours of training and advanced NLP qualifications later, has her own thriving coaching business.

    Linda has a slight obsession with running and tortoises; despite the fact that two don’t often go together. She loves a good chat, a great laugh, and an even better sale!

    Instagram: @lindabonnar_lifecoaching

Young Writer Publishing Award winners

  • Author of Elements of Straefor

    Maddi is a young author who published her first novel at the age of 14. In her spare time, she plays guitar, piano, sings and writes her own songs.

    She loves to be on stage acting and enjoys improv.

    Instagram: @novel_gurl

  • Yousuf is a remarkable 10-year-old with a passion for adventure and a deep commitment to the environment. Born in Dubai in 2013, he embarked on a unique journey when he temporarily relocated to Oxford, England, in 2022. Yousuf's time spent exploring the natural beauty of Oxford with his friends ignited a profound love for the environment. This newfound passion led him to write his first book, Arctic Quest of the Dragon Cats, where he weaves environmental themes with his love for storytelling.

    Beyond his literary pursuits, Alfahim is an avid reader and a talented artist. He finds joy in fencing, parkour, and nurturing his artistic talents. His commitment to the environment, coupled with his creative spirit, marks him as a young eco-enthusiast with a bright future dedicated to preserving our planet.

  • Mahra is an Emirati author and student. She wrote her first book at the age of 13 with the goal to help the new generation develop, grow and become the best version of themselves. Mahra admires reading and writing, in her free time she likes to go horse riding, ice skating and exercising. Mahra is passionate about developing herself more and more everyday and learning new things on the journey.

    @mhr_alali

Join Our Collective

Join Our Collective

Our collective is filled with inspiring, creative and positive voices. Our authors write about all sorts of different topics but are united in their vision in wanting to make the world a better place. We only work with heart-centered, impact-driven people, so you can be sure that the pages you flip through and the people you learn from here have dedicated themselves to be in service of you and humanity through putting their dream work out into the world.